Thread: Fingerprint database lets police ID criminal immigrants

http://www.dailytidings.com/2006/1114/s ... ant_id.php

Fingerprint database lets police ID criminal immigrants instantly

LOS ANGELES — Jesus F. Palacios was arrested last month after sheriff's deputies spotted him trying to jimmy a car door.

Using newly acquired access to federal immigration files, they scanned his fingerprints into a database at the police station and instantly determined the 30-year-old Mexican was a previously deported illegal immigrant with a criminal record.

Deputies alerted federal authorities and got an order to hold Palacios on suspicion of immigration violations. He had been removed from the U.S. at least three times after being convicted of child molestation and grand theft auto.

In the past, suspects like Palacios may have been freed on bail as deputies waited for hours for federal and state officials to do a background check.

But now, as part of a post-Sept. 11 crackdown, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department are working to give local authorities rapid access to fingerprint data that can help determine if suspects under arrest are in this country illegally.

"It has been a tremendous advantage to local law enforcement," said Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Larry Bryant, who manages the database. "There would be a very good chance these people would be undetected and be released if we didn't have this capability."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and nearly 50 other Southern California police and law enforcement agencies have been given rapid access to federal records on criminal immigrants. So have the police in Boston and Dallas.

The U.S. government intends to make information available to all local law enforcement agencies in the nation within two years to help catch criminal immigrants, people with ties to terrorist groups, and others who pose a threat.

"We need more people on the ground with information who can act," said Robert Mocny, acting director of the Home Security visitor-technology program.

Civil rights advocates worry that enlisting local authorities could chill relations in communities where police rely on immigrants to come forward with information about crimes without fearing their own status will be checked.

"The No. 1 tool law enforcement uses to solve crimes is law enforcement-community cooperation," said John TrasviIna, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

In Los Angeles County, Bryant said there is no indication officers have arrested people just to check their immigration status. "We've got better things to do," he said.

This year, federal authorities have placed immigration holds on more than 6,700 inmates in jails operated by the Sheriff's Department, according to the government.

Since police in Los Angeles County started using the database in September, they have identified and detained about 130 illegal immigrants with criminal records.

In most cases, local authorities cannot legally hold suspects longer than four hours before releasing them on bail or with a citation, Bryant said. However, it often took the FBI and state agencies longer than that to check a suspect's fingerprints and return results, he said.

The new database — housed in the Sheriff's Department and accessible to other law enforcement agencies in the county — cuts that time to minutes.

If there is a match, the agency contacts a federal law enforcement center in Burlington, Vt., to request an immigration hold. The suspect is turned over to federal authorities only after the local criminal case has been resolved.

Palacios faces charges of failing to register as a sex offender and using fake citizenship papers. He was not charged with trying to break into the car because it belonged to an acquaintance, authorities said.

Civil rights advocates worry that enlisting local authorities could chill relations in communities where police rely on immigrants to come forward with information about crimes without fearing their own status will be checked.

"The No. 1 tool law enforcement uses to solve crimes is law enforcement-community cooperation," said John TrasviIna, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

And here comes the whining.......

Is there ANYTHING these people would approve of?? They would have us overlook potential terrorists just so some illegal woman wouldn't be afraid to call the cops after she got slapped around by some illegal mate. You would think that any sane and responsible organization would think this was a GOOD thing, but NO! I guess it's because they have so many relatives that are criminals and they need protection. I'm sure the DRUG CARTELS are pushing MALDEF to stand against any proposal that would hinder their trade.

Using names if you get their real name gives all kinds of information on a person. If you run a person on a police computer, anyone who was deported or has a deportation order shows up on the NCIC data base and you also get state information. If someone is on a work visa after it runs out, that information goes on the Florida state computer system and if you pull a car over that that person is driving, you must notify ICE. It is too risky not to as computers get checked and if you get caught letting them go you will loose your job.

Originally Posted by Nadys

...could chill relations...fearing their own status will be checked.

Helping protect the lives of legal citizens could "chill" relations... An illegal attempting to steal a car might be offended if you try to find out his immigration status.

Don't build a fence, it might "chill" relations between Mexico and the US.

WHY ARE THE JOURNALISTS ALWAYS THE MOST BOTTOM OF THE BARREL SCUMBAGS WORKING IN THE COUNTRY TODAY? HOW DO THEY GET HIRED TO SPEW THE SAME HATE OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

I just sent this info off to my police chief asking if we make use of it. I also again asked if officers where going to get 287g training.

This is "jim dandy ducky" for illegals immigants that are on file, but what are we going to do about those that aren't. Obviously the vast majority of illegal immigrants in this country do not have a previous record of deportation or prints on file. So, I guess we'll just continue to let those folks go free.

This is Los Angeles we're talking about here. If there is any sign of cracking down on criminal illegals it's a good news.

The federal government needs to have strict rules in place for the states, counties and cities to follow. If they have no leeway then they will deal with illegals in the proper way as that only leaves the state, county or city the option to make the laws more stricter.